Luba S.

Luba teaches

Luba delivers an exceptional lesson experience and ranks in the top
15% of our teachers nationwide.

Teaches students:

Ages 5+ and special needs

Teaching since:

September 1997

A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Ms Luba S. started playing piano at the age of 6 and continued her musical studies at Mussorgsky School of Music and later at St. Petersburg State Conservatory. Her concert appearances in Russia included performances with orchestra and solo recitals at St. Petersburg State Capella, Philharmonic Hall, and Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory Hall.

Upon moving to the United States in 1989, she worked as a vocal accompanist at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music while pursuing her BS degree in Computer Science. From 1996 she participated in the series of Master Classes at International Summer Festivals such as Holland Music Sessions, Nice Festival Academy, studying with Boris Berman, Brigitte Engerer, Menahem Pressler and performing in the frame of above mentioned festivals.

Luba made her Weil Recital Hall debut with the Zephyr Duo as a prize winner in the Artists International Competition. Both as a solo artist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout the Metropolitan New York area in venues such as Trinity Church, Mannes and Manhattan Schools of Music, the Connell Library, Drew University, Watchung Art Center, Summit Presbyterian Church, Atlantic Highlands Chamber Music Series and others. Her performances also included appearances at Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel, PA, Solstice Festival at Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Benefit concerts for New Sussex Symphony, Bucks County Symphony and NJ Symphony orchestras, as well as chamber music recitals at Livingston Music Club, Women's Club in Glen Ridge, Temple University.

Ms. S. currently maintains a private piano studio. She is an active member of Music Educators Association of New Jersey and sits annually on a panel of judges for the association.

Teaching Philosophy:

I believe that learning to play an instrument should be an integral part of every child's education. Music enriches emotional and intellectual development, provides a source of joy and fulfillment. My teaching philosophy is based on emphasizing individuality of each student. I teach students ages 5 through adult, and try to find a way to make it interesting, exciting, intellectually stimulating and rewarding for each individual.

- I incorporate elements of Suzuki method into my teaching for young beginners combining it with traditional Russian school methods and various others depending on student's needs.

- I believe in providing strong technical basis for piano playing and teach my students skills and tools to make practicing on their own efficient.

- I include music theory, ear-training, and elements of music history into my piano lessons

- I prepare my students to participate in annual MEA auditions, as well as recitals and competitions. I am an enthusiastic and devoted teacher who loves sharing my knowledge and creates an environment in which a student can learn and grow.

English, Russian

Russian

Winner of International Artists Competition

Music Teachers National Association

Jan 1997

The MTNA was founded in 1876 with the goal of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society while supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music. With nearly 22,000 members in 50 states—and more than 500 local affiliates—the MTNA is the preeminent source for music teacher support, where members embody like-minded values and commitment to their students, colleagues and society as a whole, while reaping the rewards of collaboration, continuity and connection throughout the lifetime of their careers.

As an adult beginner student, I was a bit nervous about starting lessons past childhood. However, I enjoyed playing the few tunes I did know and decided to begin lessons with Luba because of the other outstanding reviews she has online. I am very delighted to say that these are all very true, and I could not have been happier with my experience.

From the first lesson, Luba quickly identified my strengths and weaknesses and was able to provide just the right personalized guidance for me to expand my abilities. That first lesson left me with so much more than I had come in with that I was amazed at how manageable Luba was able to make the piano. Enthusiastically, I practiced the pieces at home. At the studio with Luba, I discovered just how talented of a player and teacher she is. Without even looking at me, she identified the things I was having trouble with in every piece. Her playing reinforced my knowledge of the pieces. I particularly enjoyed how she emphasized the musical quality and "feel" of each piece, rather than just the technicalities of the sheet music.

Unfortunately, I had to end my lessons after six months because I was moving out of the state. In such a short amount of time, though, I can now read sheet music at a reasonable pace, understand basic music theory, and most importantly know how to practice. All of these I can only attribute to Luba. She has transformed a mildly interesting instrument into one of my most beloved lifelong hobbies.

It is with great pleasure and with no reservations whatsoever, that I can recommend Luba as a piano teacher for both children and adults. Although her curricula vitae speaks for itself in terms of her qualifications and experience, it is the personal qualities of a teacher that are of the utmost importance in developing a student/teacher relationship that brings out the fullest potential and desire to learn of the student. Luba's warm and kind demeanor belies her exacting requirements of her students. As a pianist who has attended Luba’s student recitals, I am always impressed to see how well-prepared and confidently they perform. Even the beginners play with beautiful phrasing and musicality. One can tell they have studied with a teacher who has worked hard to impart a strong sense of organic expression that music, performed with care and understanding, can evoke. As a concert pianist, Luba understands well the difficulties, both physically and psychologically of performance and is most supportive of the goals of her students. She is also interesting and caring and uses her sense of humour to entice her students to keep working through the difficult times, and keep coming back for lessons.

"Mrs. Luba" has come to be one of the most positive role models in our daughter's life. Over the last two years, Luba has instilled in our daughter (now aged 8) a deep appreciation and love for music and an understanding of the importance of setting goals.

In addition to her obvious rich musical knowledge, Luba is enthusiastic, caring, warm and understands how to teach. She has worked with my daughter on troublesome topics and knows when and how to challenge her. She makes each and every lesson fun while creating a real sense of accomplishment. Rather than simply plow through songs, Luba also works with her on piano technique and music fundamentals that will hasten her development, particularly as she advances. Finally, Luba is always extremely accommodating and cognizant of our hectic schedule. Our daughter recently scored "Outstanding" in the 2014 Music Educators Association Annual Audition, thanks in no small measure to Luba.

We are absolutely thrilled to have found Luba for our daughter's piano instruction and hope to continue our long relationship together.

I started taking lessons with Luba when I was 7 years old, and stayed with her for over 10 years (until I left for college). Now, despite no longer taking piano lessons, I still find great enjoyment in playing piano, and I attribute my love and knowledge of music to Luba. Luba's piano lessons were truly invaluable. She believes in a holistic approach, and understands that it is important for a student to be able to tackle a piece both technically and emotionally. She patiently goes over music theory, delving into the whys and hows of composition, helping her students understand the piece technically. Her explanations and demonstrations on the techniques with which to play a piece were clear and informative, and with practice I found my technical skills improving substantially. However, unlike many other musicians I've met who have mastered technique but failed to apply emotion, Luba ensures that a student is also able to connect with the music. She encouraged me when I chose to learn pieces I liked, and guided me when I struggled to emotionally connect with certain composers. She also taught me the value of practicing (which many children dislike doing, myself included at the time), and gave advice on how to actually practice and improve. With Luba, I consistently received a grade of "Outstanding" (the highest grade level) at the Music Educators Association's annual audition, and placed in numerous piano competitions around the state. I went from barely having any knowledge of music and piano to being able to both learn and sight read complex pieces. It's so satisfying for your efforts to pay off and to finally reach a level where you can pick any piece and know that you have the skills to learn it and play it well. Without Luba, I would not have reached such a mastery of piano and I am extremely grateful for all of her help over the years. Luba is a fantastic piano teacher and any student would be lucky to take lessons with her!